M&A and Strategy Lead

athagoras Group; England; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A life sciences services company is seeking an experienced M&A and Strategy Lead to drive growth and identify strategic opportunities. The ideal candidate should have over 5 years of relevant experience, strong analytical and financial skills, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment. This role offers the chance to work closely with senior leadership in an international setting.

Qualifications

• 5–7+ years of experience in M&A, private equity, investment banking, or corporate development.
• Proven track record in sourcing, evaluating, and executing transactions.
• Strong analytical and financial modeling capabilities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Highly self-motivated and able to work independently while collaborating effectively.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain a robust M&A pipeline aligned with strategic priorities.
• Conduct financial, market, and strategic analyses, including valuation modeling.
• Support post-acquisition integration and onboarding processes.
• Prepare high-quality materials for Board meetings and management sessions.

Skills

Analytical capabilities

Financial modeling

Communication skills

Self-motivated

Team collaboration

Fluency in English

Job description

This role is ideally based in Basel, Switzerland or London, UK is considered as an alternative.

About Athagoras

Athagoras is a buy-and-build platform in life sciences services, uniting specialized consulting firms and empowering next-generation therapies. Backed by leading financial investors, Athagoras operates across 14 countries with more than 400 employees worldwide.

Our mission is to empower pharma through technology, expertise, and innovation. We are hiring an M&A and Strategy Lead to accelerate our strategic growth and strengthen our global footprint.

This role will proactively identify, evaluate, and execute high-potential M&A opportunities, collaborating closely with senior leadership and cross-functional teams. The ideal candidate brings a strong deal‑making background, ideally from private equity, investment banking, or corporate M&A, and will play a pivotal role in shaping Athagoras’ growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Build and maintain a robust M&A pipeline aligned with strategic priorities.
• Track and manage ongoing opportunities, maintaining accurate records and status updates.
• Proactively identify potential acquisition targets across core and adjacent markets.
• Participate in meetings with potential targets and ensure consistent, professional follow‑up.
• Conduct financial, market, and strategic analyses, including valuation modeling, market mapping, and industry trend assessments.
• Provide comprehensive support throughout M&A execution.
• Support post‑acquisition integration and onboarding processes.
• Conduct market research and strategic reviews, staying informed on sector developments, regulatory shifts, and innovation trends.
• Develop and present reports on market dynamics, innovation, and investment opportunities within life sciences.
• Maintain well‑organized and accurate documentation across strategy, M&A, and operations activities.
• Prepare high‑quality materials for Board meetings, offsites, and senior management sessions.

Skills and Qualifications

Must‑Haves

• 5–7+ years of experience in M&A, private equity, investment banking, or corporate development.
• Proven track record in sourcing, evaluating, and executing transactions.
• Strong analytical and financial modeling capabilities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Highly self‑motivated and able to work independently while collaborating effectively in a team environment.
• Experience working in an international, fast‑paced setting.
• Fluent in English (additional languages are a plus).

Nice‑to‑Haves

• Sector experience in Life Sciences and/or professional services.
• Familiarity with the European and U.S. investment ecosystems.
• Exposure to roll‑up strategies and value creation initiatives.